“Ever heard of the Langlois family?” I ask. Their story is woven into the very fabric of Rue du Port à l’Anglais. This unassuming street holds a secret a history stretching back centuries.
Rue du Port à l’Anglais isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to a family of serfs. Freed in 1280 by a charter from Notre-Dame de Paris they established a thriving farm and port on the Seine. Their boats carried passengers goods and livestock across the river. The name itself a testament to their legacy. It evolved from Port-à-Langlois to Port-à-l’Anglois and finally to its current form.
The area around Rue du Port à l’Anglais flourished. But crossing the Seine remained a challenge. In 1896 a plan for a bridge was launched. Funding issues and design changes delayed its construction. Finally in 1912 a competition was held. Ferdinand Arnodin’s design was chosen. Inspired by Albert Gisclard’s rigid suspension bridge system the Pont du Port-à-l’Anglais was a marvel of engineering. Construction began in 1914 but was interrupted by World War I. The bridge was not completed until 1928.
The Pont du Port-à-l’Anglais stands as a symbol of resilience. Damaged during World War II it was repaired in 1946. Further renovations followed in the 1970s and 2010s preserving this historical landmark. Even Louis Aragon mentioned it in his work Aurélien. He described it as a popular swimming spot in the 1920s. The bridge was even used in the 1870 Siege of Paris to relay messages by way of zinc spheres.
Today Rue du Port à l’Anglais continues its story. It reflects the evolution of Vitry-sur-Seine and Alfortville. A reminder that even a simple street can conceal a rich and captivating history. So next time you wander down Rue du Port à l’Anglais remember the Langlois family their port and the enduring legacy of this remarkable bridge.